HURL Artifact No. |
SUB-6 |
*Denotes approximations and speculations |
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Name: |
I-400 (Hangar/Tower) |
Lost: |
4-Jun-46 |
Artifact Type: |
Submarine Hangar & Conning Tower |
Found: |
30-Oct-14 |
Nationality: |
Japanese |
Dive No: |
PIV-278/PV-835 |
Class or Make: |
I-400 |
Location: |
Barber's Pt. |
Model: |
Sen Toku |
Depth (m): |
566m |
Purpose: |
Aircraft stowage & Sub conning |
HURL crew: |
Cremer, Uetani, Tokomaru/Kerby, Van Tilburg, Chinen |
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Serial Number: |
n/a |
Additional Dives: |
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Built/Launched: |
1/18/1943; Kure Naval Yard, Japan |
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Length: |
80' |
Width: |
20' |
Height: |
20' |
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Circumstance of Loss: |
Torpedoed |
Crew Personnel/Position: |
144 Officers and Men |
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Reason of Loss: |
Used as target (Sunk by USS Trumpetfish SS-425) |
Crew Survivals/Fatalities: |
n/a |
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Artifact History: |
The hangar was designed to hold 3 Aichi M6A Seiran aircraft which could all be launched in about 30-40 minutes. The hangar was a separate compartment from the submarine, but could be accessed from within the sub while submerged. The conning tower was used to navigate the sub while on the surface. The tower was offset to the port of centerline to accommodate the hangar. |
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Artifact Condition: |
The hangar was found 60-70m away from the main body of the submarine. The door is entirely off and lying on the seabed with its inside facing upward. The hangar is strewn about in several sections and various portions of debris. All 3 anti-aircraft guns were seen. Two were inverted and one was on its side. The conning tower was found lying on its side with its periscopes extended. Among the debris was seen a brass ship's bell. |
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Additional Information: |
The hangar bay, conning tower, and anti-aircraft guns were not found on the discovery dive of the main body, but on the second dive to the site in 2015. The ship's bell was recovered on a test dive in 2016 and after conservation it was placed in the care of the USS Bowfin Museum for display. |